Name: ___________________________
Date: ___________
Lab #3- Interpretation of Topographic Maps
Class: ________
Science
Base your answers to questions 1 through 8 on the diagram below and your knowledge in earth science. Points A, D, Y, and
Z are reference points on the topographic map. The contour lines are measured in feet.
1. Toward which compass direction is Maple Stream flowing? ___________________________
2. What is the contour interval on the topographic map (include units)? ___________________________
3. What is the maximum elevation of Aurora Hill (include units)? ___________________________
4. What is the highest possible elevation of Holland Hill (include units)? ___________________________
5. What is the highest possible elevation of Girard Hill (include units)? ___________________________
6. Which letter, Y or Z, has a higher elevation (circle one)?
Y
or
Z
7. Which letter, A or B, has a lower elevation (circle one)?
A
or
B
8. Toward which compass direction is Lake Lackawanna located? ___________________________
Base your answers to questions 9 through 17 on the diagram below and your knowledge in earth science. Letters A through H
represent locations in the area represented by the map. Contour lines are labeled as feet.
9. What is the contour interval on the topographic map (include units)? ________________________
10. Toward which compass direction is Green River flowing? ___________________________
11. State how the shape of the contour lines crossing the Green River indicates that this river flows towards the direction
you indicated in question #10
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Which lettered location has the highest elevation (circle one)?
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
13. What is the length of the cross-sectional area between points G and H (include units)? __________
14. What is the elevation of point A (include units)? _____________
15. Toward which compass direction is the steep cliff from the top of Hill F? ____________________
16. State how the contour lines are arranged to indicate a steep cliff (steep gradient).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
17. State the evidence that there is one depression on this topographic map?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Base your answers to questions 18 through 20 in the field map below, which shows an area of a state park where an
underground gasoline tank leaked and contaminated the groundwater. Groundwater- monitoring wells were installed to
determine the extent of the contamination. The concentration of contaminants in parts per million (ppm) in each of the wells
is indicated on the map.
18. On the field map above, draw the 50-ppm, 100-ppm, and the 150-ppm isolines. The 0-ppm isoline has been drawn
for you.
19. As distance from the underground gasoline tank increases, _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
20. According to the isolines you drew for question #18, what feature is the pollution coming from?
___________________________________________________________________________________________